If we follow Christ, we have a relationship with God that is bound to be expressed in our relationships with other people. But we often forget that. We can easily create barriers in the name of race, religion, gender, churches, communities, families, friend groups, and more. While these differences can help us think about who we are, our sinful nature distorts them in such a way that we put up walls that divide us. We should celebrate diversity, but it should not lead to division.

The apostle Paul says we can find unity in the foundation that has already been laid in Christ. Being connected to one another increases our effectiveness as God’s people. It increases our strength as well as our worth. In the ultimate act of hospitality, God sent his Son, Jesus, making reconciliation possible between us and God.

Through Christ’s work on the cross, we are united as his people once and for all. Unless this is the case, there is no good news. Unless this is the case, we are lost in our sin—excluded from the kingdom and separate from Christ.

We celebrate that the dividing wall has come down. Paul urges us to remember that we were once excluded but that God drew us near to himself so that we can become “one new humanity,” inviting everyone to join God’s household in Christ.